1st Spring Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Abstract
P06, Spain 2003
C. V. Krishnan, M. Garnett
Garnett McKeen Lab, Inc.
Liquid crystal materials form macro-molecular arrays which are altered
by
electric or magnetic fields (Freedericks transition)[1] This electronic reactivity makes them interesting
substances for electrochemical study. The liquid crystal palladium-lipoic acid polymer complex (PLA)[2,3],
an investigative chemotherapy agent, exhibits a novel distortional impedance.
This plot is restricted to a narrow (10mv.) voltage range near the zero volts
polarization threshold of the mercury electrode [figs1-3: Z plot, Bode, CV].
The initial capacitive arc rises to form a counter-clockwise curve which moves
through zero DC impedance through the upper left quadrant of the complex plane.
This is an example of an Hg+1 dopan effect on the
liquid crystal. The negative DC resistances are interpreted as charge
dissipation. The dissipation is consistent with charge transfer. PLA reduces
DNA [2, 3] . The mechanism for the charge transfer is
believed to derive from the liquid crystal structure. In solid state crystals
there is a finite array of uniform unit cells with a common dimension [4, 5].
The array propagates a fundamental frequency by lattice reflections and
conduction band state. The liquid crystal mimics the solid crystal. We attempt
to define the differences by looking at the influences of solution conditions
including pH and temperature, and also by response to magnetic fields. Liquid
crystals are a novel way to catalyze charge transfer in biochemical systems.
References
1. Collings, PJ. Liquid
Crystals,
2.
3. M. Garnett, and J.L. Remo, Microfabricated
Systems and Mems V.
Proc. ECS.2000-19:185-190, 2000.
4. D.C. Wallace, Thermodynamics of
5. Kittel, C., Introduction to